Progressive side bet game with four card poker and associated games

ABSTRACT

A method of playing a wagering game is used with symbols or cards. At least a first hand and a second hand are provided. The first hand competes against the second hand. The first hand has a statistical advantage versus the second hand. A player elects to place a side bet on a jackpot game and has an option on wagering on at least the first hand or on at least the second hand to win the jackpot event. A first separate paytable is provided against the jackpot for the first hand and a second separate paytable is provided against the jackpot for the second hand. If the side bet includes a wager on the first hand, at least some winning events against the first paytable for the first hand return a lesser amount or lesser percentage of a jackpot than a same winning event will return from the second paytable for the second hand.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation-in-part of copending U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 11/499,864, filed Aug. 4, 2006 and copending U.S.patent application Ser. No. 11/589,701, filed Oct. 20, 2006, which arein turn continuations of now abandoned U.S. patent application Ser. No.10/152,325, filed May 2, 2002, which applications are incorporatedherein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to the field of gaming, particularlygaming using wagering symbols and in particular casino table wageringgames with playing cards and especially poker-type casino wageringgames.

2. Background of the Art

The present invention generally relates to a symbol award wagering game,and especially a card game that can be played in a casino, on electronicmedia, over the internet or in a card room. More particularly, itrelates to a modified version of a stud poker game.

As a leisure time activity, poker and other card games have been popularfor many years. The capital requirements for playing poker and othertable card games are very low. All that are needed are one or more decksof cards, a playing surface and a few participants. Five card poker is agame that most people know how to play and many games have beendeveloped using the same basic priority or rank order of winning pokerhands: Royal Flush, Straight Flush, Four of a Kind, Full House, Flush,Straight, Three of a Kind, Two Pair, One Pair and high card(s) in hand.

Many places, both within and without the United States, have legalizedgaming. Poker is one of the games of chance offered in both casinos andcard rooms. In a conventional card room poker game, the house provides adealer, the playing cards, the table and chairs, but the house does notfinance play. The house collects a nominal percentage of each player'sbet (“the rake”) that compensates the house for providing the facilitiesto the players. Alternatively, the house may charge each player a setamount per hand or for a specified length of time of play. Each playeris competing not against the house, but against all the other playerswith the highest hand winning the total of all the wagers made on thathand.

Many people do not like to play card room poker because each player iscompeting against his fellow players, not against the house. Many peoplewould rather attempt to win money from an impersonal source, the houseor the casino, rather than from their fellow players with whom they maybe acquainted. Card room poker also tends to not offer any bonuspayments for particularly good hands, although bonuses are sometimespaid for highest hands in tournaments or for specific combinations ofhands at poker tables (e.g., a losing hand of at least a full house).While a Royal Flush is a rare occurrence and generates a thrill for anypoker player, the player collects the same total wager that he wouldhave collected if the hand was won with a Three-of-a-Kind.

In the past fifteen years, a number of card games have been introducedto provide poker-type card games as house-banked casino table games.These games have focused on a number of elements in providing excitementand staying power for the games. The games must be quickly understood byplayers. The rules must be simple and clear. The resolution of wagers bythe dealer must be easily accomplished. The reading of hands by a dealermust not be complex. In addition, the games must provide a high enoughhit frequency to appeal to players, yet allow the house to retain aprofitable portion of the wagers. These needs have limited the number ofsuccessful games that have been designed and successfully introducedinto the casino gaming market and the use of successful side bet bonus,jackpot or progressive jackpot is even more difficult with the varietyof games.

Among the successful games are Let It Ride Bonus® poker, Three CardPoker® game and Caribbean Stud® poker. These games have each achieved ahigh level of commercial success with different formats and attributes.

Let It Ride Bonus® stud poker is described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,288,081.In this game, the player makes a wager in three parts, three cards aredealt to each player (there may be only a single player), and two commoncards are dealt face down in front of the dealer. The player examineshis/her three cards, evaluates the likelihood of a ranked hand (e.g., atleast a pair of tens) being achieved with those three cards and the asyet unseen common cards. The player, based on judgment of thatlikelihood, may elect to withdraw the first of the three-part wager orkeep the wager at risk. Upon the player making that decision, andwithdrawing or allowing the first wager to remain at risk, a first ofthe common cards is turned face up. The player then can make anotherdecision with regard to the play of the hand and whether there is achanged potential for a ranked hand. A second portion of the three-partwager is then withdrawn or allowed to remain at risk. After thisdecision, the last common card is exposed, and the rank of each player'shand, including the common cards, is evaluated. Payments are made toeach player based on only the rank of hand achieved and the number ofwagers left on the table from the original three-part wager. As noted,at least one wager must remain, as only two parts can have beenwithdrawn. Wagers are paid off at rates (or odds), for example, of 1:1for pairs of at least 10's, 2:1 for two pairs, 3:1 for three-of-a-kind,5:1 for straights, 7:1 for flushes, 12:1 for full houses, 50:1 forfour-of-a-kind, 250:1 for straight flushes, and 1000:1 for RoyalFlushes. The specific payout odds can be varied and often casinos choosepayout tables that help them achieve a desired percentage hold. Sidebonus wagers may also be placed in which ranked hands overthree-of-a-kind receive fixed or progressive bonuses, such as $25,000for a Royal Flush. The bonus payouts and hand combinations are typicallydisplayed on a payout table on the table surface.

The Three Card Poker® game is described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,685,774. Inthis game, the dealer deals three cards to each player and three cardsto the dealer, all face down. Initially one or two optional wagers maybe made by the player. One such wager is for the “Pair Plus” bonus bet,a bet on achieving a winning combination included in a payout table.Another wager is the game ante on which the player competes against thedealer. The Pair Plus bet in one example of the invention is a wagerthat the three card hand will have a rank of at least one pair or more.The hand is paid off in multiples of the bet depending upon the rank ofthe hand, with up to 40:1 or more paid out for three-of-a-kind. In theante wager, if the player wants to compete against the dealer's hand(after viewing the rank of the player's hand), an additional wager equalto one (or alternatively two) times the ante must be placed by theplayer. The dealer's hand is then exposed. If the dealer does not have ahand of at least a certain qualifying rank (e.g., at least Queen high),the dealer's hand is not in play. If the player has not made theadditional wager, the ante is collected by the dealer at some point inthe play of the game. If the player has made the additional wager, theante is paid off to the player if the dealer's hand has not qualified orif the dealer's hand is not as high a rank as the player's hand. If thedealer's hand has qualified, and the dealer's hand is higher than theplayer's hand, then the ante and the additional wager are collected bythe house. If the dealer's hand qualifies (e.g., at least Queen high)and is lower than the player's hand rank, both the ante and additionalwager are paid off, with multiples payable to the ante wager for certainhigh ranking hands (e.g., straights, flushes, straight flushes,three-of-a-kind, etc.). The ranking of the various three card pokerhands is different than in five card poker games.

In Caribbean Stud® poker, described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,836,533, a playermakes an initial ante wager, and five cards are dealt to each player andto a dealer. The dealer exposes one of the five cards to influence theplayer. The player decides if the dealt player hand is of sufficientrank to compete against the dealer's hand. The player may fold theplayer's hand at that time, or continue the game by placing anadditional wager (referred to as the “Bet”) that is usually required tobe twice the value of the ante. The dealer's hand qualifies for activeplay against the Bet with a rank of at least Ace-King. If the dealerqualifies, the rank of the players' hands are compared with the rank ofthe dealer's hand. Players with hands of higher rank than the dealer'shand win both the ante and the Bet. Players with hands of lower rankthan the dealer's hand lose both the ante and the Bet. If an initialside bet (often referred to as the Progressive Jackpot side bet) hasbeen made by the player, ranked hands of particularly high values (e.g.,at least a Flush) are paid absolute bonus amounts or may be paid out ofa progressive jackpot. This bonus side bet is paid whether or not theplayer's hand rank exceeds the rank of the dealer's hand.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,170,827 describes another poker-type casino table cardgame. This game may be played at a table with as many as seven playerscompeting against a dealer. The play of the game is fairly complex, witheach player having both multiple hands and utilization of a dealer'scard. One method of play is to provide each player with three cards, andthe dealer is provided with four cards. The dealer's play of cards ispredetermined, while the players may select their desired holding.Player's hands are competing directly against the dealer's hand in eachof the hands made by the player and the dealer.

It is always desirable to explore alternative games for play in thefield of gaming tables to provide players with varied experiences andalternatives to known games.

Progressive jackpot systems and apparatus and other side bet progressiveand jackpot bonus games are described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,861,041 (Jones,et al.) and U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,743,800; 6,146,270; 6,139,430; 6,179,710;6,638,167; and 6,929,264. All patent and patent applications referencedin this disclosure are incorporated herein in their entirety.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An underlying technology in the present invention includes a base gamein which two hands compete against each other for rank or score, and aplayer may wager on one or both hands against the other and/or against apaytable. The base game is particularly suited for a progressive jackpotplayed where one hand has a higher probability of success against thepaytable and especially a higher probability for that one hand in favorof winning the progressive jackpot as compared to the at least oneanother hand. The game would therefore use two paytables constructedwith different payouts for the same ranks or score in the differenthands (e.g., a dealer hand and a player hand). The paytable wouldespecially be modified with different payouts for the highest winningson the jackpot, where even with the maximum winning hand appearing inthe hand having the higher probability for the ranked hands.

The invention is particularly suitable with games in which symbols areprovided to multiple hands and either a) mapping of available symbolsweights one hand versus another, b) a wild card(s) is possible with onlyone hand, or c) more symbols are provided to one hand versus another toprovide a statistically higher likelihood of higher ranked hands for onehand versus another.

A particular format of play includes a dealer hand and a player hand,with a greater number of cards, a potentially greater number of symbols,or wild cards being made available to the dealer hand. A progressiveside bet or fixed jackpot side bet or bonus side bet is provided whichpays on at least one high poker rank, at least one high symbol rank orat least one high score. Because the probabilities for success on ajackpot win or high award rank win is greater on one hand (hereinreferred to as the “higher probability hand”) versus another, differentpaytables are provided for the side bet wager on the progressive orfixed jackpot wager, with at least some payouts being lower. The game ofFour-Card Poker® game is particularly suited or the underlying game. Inone embodiment, the dealer hand has a greater win probability than theplayer hand. In another embodiment, the player had has a higher winprobability.

A problem with the existing Four-card Poker™ game is that therepresently is no hand that players can achieve which offers anextraordinary pay-out. Although the odds of winning are low, progressivejackpots requiring a relatively small monetary amount for eligibilityremain interesting to players. Players seem highly attracted to thepossibility of an extraordinarily large payout for what appears to be anominal wager. Also, most progressive wagers are a fixed nominal amount,and players that win with lesser hands will win a fixed payout basedonly on one unit being wagered, rather than a multiple of the unitswagered. Thus, it would be desirable to include a progressive jackpotside wager in the Four Card Poker™ game that would provide players withthe potential to win an extraordinarily large pay-out for a relativelyminimal investment. It would also be desirable to configure the sidewager so that lesser hands can pay an award as a multiple of the unitswagered by the player.

A summary of Four-Card Poker® casino table poker game is a game playedwith poker hands of players competing against a poker hand of a dealer.A player enters the game by placing one or both of a Bonus Bet (alsoreferred to as an Aces-Up wager) for competition against a pay table andan Ante for direct competition against the dealer. The player is dealtmore cards than needed to form a poker hand. The dealer is also providedwith more than the required number of cards, from which a number ofcards are selected for the dealer's hand to play. The player is providedwith bonus payouts (e.g., multiple returns) on the Aces-Up bet forranked hands or a pair of Aces or better. The players' hands alsocompete directly against the rank of the dealer's hand if an additionalplay bet is placed to supplement the ante. The additional play bet maybe varied by the player to be 1×, 2×, 3×, 4×, or 5× the amount of theante. Bonuses may also be paid on the Aces-Up or ante wager withunusually high ranking player's hands (such as a straight flush or fourof a kind), whether or not the rank of the player's hand exceeds therank of the dealer's hand.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 is a plan view of a gaming table layout suitable for play of thegame of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

A method of playing a wagering game comprises providing at least a firsthand and a second hand. Typically at least one player and even aplurality of players will make a first Ante wager on the second hand inan underlying game competing against the score or rank of the firsthand. The first hand competes against the second hand. The structure ofthe game or the provision of symbols in the game is done in a manner sothat the first hand has a statistical advantage versus a second hand. Ina second embodiment, the second hand holds the statistical advantage.This statistical advantage will be discussed in greater detail herein.At least one player has an option for a side bet wager. At least oneplayer may elect to place a side bet on a jackpot game. The election onthe side bet may include an option on wagering on at least the firsthand or at least the second hand to win the jackpot event. The optionmay also include a side bet wager for the jackpot award that includesboth the first hand (e.g., the dealer hand) and the second hand (aplayer hand or a community player hand). Because of the greaterstatistical advantage of the first hand, a first separate distinctpaytable is provided against the jackpot for the first hand and a secondseparate distinct paytable is provided against the jackpot for thesecond hand. The paytables would be applicable for jackpot side betwagers on the first hand, the second hand and both the first hand andsecond hand. If the side bet includes a wager on the first hand, atleast some winning events against the paytable for the first hand returna lesser amount or lesser percentage than a same winning event willreturn from the paytable for the second hand.

According to the invention, paytable payouts may include fixed payoutamounts, odds payout amounts, progressive payout amounts, percentage ofprogressive payout amounts and/or randomly determined payout amounts.

The impact on the respective awards provided in the paytables may bevaried close to or strategically different from the statisticaladvantage of the first hand to reflect the actual probabilities of theadvantage. The simplest analogy will be applied to a progressive jackpotwhere percentages of the jackpot are typically awarded for the lowestprobability winning events or hands. For example, it is typical in afour card poker hand for the lowest probability winning hand to be FourAces (a four card straight flush or four-card royal flush having ahigher or similar probability), or using the fifth card as a specialevent such as Four Aces and a King (the last not used in the actualfour-card poker game) to determine a 100% Jackpot winning event in theplayer's hand. In the special event of the present game where a dealerfour-card hand is constructed from six cards and a player's four-cardpoker hand is constructed from five cards, the paytables may reflect atleast the following types of differences: TABLE 1 PLAYER HAND DEALERHAND HAND RANK AWARD AWARD Highest Defined 100% 60-95% Rank 2^(ND)Highest  10%  5-9% Defined Rank 3^(RD) Highest 500X Side Bet Wager200-400X Side Bet Wager Defined Rank 4^(TH) Highest 100X Side Bet Wager 60-95X Side Bet Wager Defined Rank 5^(TH) Highest  25X Side Bet Wager 10-20X Side Bet Wager Defined Rank 6^(TH) Highest  10X Side Bet Wager 6-9X Side Bet Wager Defined Rank

An alternative type of jackpot payout distribution is exemplified in thefollowing Table: TABLE 2 PLAYER HAND DEALER HAND HAND RANK AWARD AWARDHighest Defined Rank 100% 60-95% 2^(ND) Highest Defined Rank  10%  5-9%3^(RD) Highest Defined Rank $500 $200-$400 4^(TH) Highest Defined Rank$100 $60-$95 5^(TH) Highest Defined Rank $25 $10-$20 6^(TH) HighestDefined Rank $10 $6-$9

In the practice of this technology in an electronic format wheresymbols, including playing cards are provided in and played on anelectronic system, the higher statistical probability for higher rankedhands is programmed into provision of symbols for the first hand. Thehigher statistical probability may be provided for the first hand bymapping of individual symbol probabilities (e.g., U.S. Pat. No.4,448,419, Telnaes) or mapping of template (e.g., Yoseloff, U.S. Pat.Nos. 6,159,096 and 6,117,009) probabilities for combinations of symbols.A preferred method of play is performed where the first hand and thesecond hand comprise playing cards, physical cards or electronic cards.Other embodiments of the game utilize reel slot displays, electronicvideo poker displays or electronic reel slot displays. Playing cards orother game symbols may be used to determine a score to determine awardsagainst paytables. The playing cards may be used to determine a pokerhand rank to determine awards against paytables. The statisticaladvantage for the first hand versus the second hand may be provided byproviding more playing cards to the first hand than to the second hand.Other methods of providing statistical advantage are contemplated, suchas providing wild symbols or dealing cards to the first hand from aseparate deck that is richer in high-value cards. The greater number ofextra cards provided to the first hand (usually considered the dealerhand in the practice of the present technology), the greater thestatistical probability of success in achieving a winning hand against apaytable or achieving a jackpot payout rank or score. As the skilledplayer, given an option on wagering on the dealer hand (the higherprobability first hand) or the player hand (the lower probability secondhand) would always select the dealer hand because of the higherprobability, payout amounts or percentages between the two hands must beadjusted to make the selections or options more equivalent.

For purposes of discussion, and not asserting the absolute accuracy ofthe numbers, it will be assumed that in a preferred Four-Card Poker·8game where a dealer hand (the higher probability hand) receives six (6)cards and the player hand (the second hand or lower probability hand)receives five (5) cards, and where the 100% jackpot award for the playerhand is received for four Aces and the King of Spades, the probabilityof that hand (four Aces and the King of Spades) appearing in the higherprobability dealer hand would be about 12-25% greater than in the Playerhand. For further purposes of discussion only, the nominal increase inprobability for that highest ranked hand will be assumed to be about20%. Therefore, the payout table for the higher probability hand can andshould be adjusted to reflect this approximately (nominal) 20%difference in higher probability. It should be recognized that thisnominal 20% higher probability difference is not uniform across thepaytable for a multiplicity of different bonus hands or jackpot hands.That is, even if the nominal probability increase is 20% for the highestwinning hand, the probability increase for lower ranked and lower awardhands is likely to be different from the 20% nominal value underdiscussion. For example, the likelihood of two pair may increase 25% andthe likelihood of a flush may increase by 15%, etc. These variations maybe considered in the paytables or the paytables may be standardized withrespect to these variations in probabilities. These variations inprobabilities may be balanced across the paytable for the higherprobability hand to offer incentives or disincentives for wagering onone paytable or the other, as reflected in the following sets of tables.Straight Nominal 20% Correspondence PLAYER HAND DEALER HAND HAND RANKAWARD AWARD Highest Defined Rank 100% 80% 2^(ND) Highest Defined Rank 10%  8% 3^(RD) Highest Defined Rank $500 $400 4^(TH) Highest DefinedRank $100 $8 5^(TH) Highest Defined Rank $25 $20 6^(TH) Highest DefinedRank $10 $8

Graded Correspondence to Nominal 20% PLAYER HAND DEALER HAND HAND RANKAWARD AWARD Highest Defined Rank 100% 80% 2^(ND) Highest Defined Rank 10%  8% 3^(RD) Highest Defined Rank $500 $300 4^(TH) Highest DefinedRank $100 $60 5^(TH) Highest Defined Rank $25 $15 6^(TH) Highest DefinedRank $10 $5

Incentive Grading on Nominal 20% PLAYER HAND DEALER HAND HAND RANK AWARDAWARD Highest Defined Rank 100% 60-95% 2^(ND) Highest Defined Rank  10%5-9% 3^(RD) Highest Defined Rank $500 $200 4^(TH) Highest Defined Rank$100 $50 5^(TH) Highest Defined Rank $25 $25 6^(TH) Highest Defined Rank$10 $10In the last example, payouts for the intermediate ranks have beenreduced, while the payouts for the lowest winning ranks have beenmaintained, while the percentage jackpot awards have been reduced by thenominal 20% higher probability.

The initial wager may be placed by the player on the second hand onwinning or losing against the first hand on a basis of poker ranks. Theside bet wager may be placed by the player on first hand or the secondhand. In another embodiment, the side bet wager may be placed by theplayer on first hand, the second hand or both the first hand and secondhand. The highest award ranked hand attained by the second hand will beawarded 100% of the jackpot and for the highest award ranked handattained by the first hand, less than 100% of the jackpot is awarded.The jackpot preferably comprises a progressive jackpot with at least aportion of the side bet incrementing the progressive jackpot. A fixedjackpot my also be used, as where the highest ranked second hand (Playerhand) would be awarded a fixed amount, such as $25,000, and the secondhighest player hand rank would receive, for example, $2,500.

The method may require or allow an initial wager to be placed on aplayer versus dealer poker game utilizing at least one deck of playingcards, the game comprising:

at least one player placing at least one wager to participate in thecasino game;

dealing a first number of cards to a dealer to form the first hand, saidfirst number of cards being greater than the number of cards to be usedin determination of a poker rank hand for the dealer;

dealing a second number of cards to the at least one player to form thesecond hand, said second number of cards being greater than the numberof cards to be used in determination of a poker rank hand for eachplayer;

the dealer utilizing fewer than all of the cards dealt to form aresulting single dealer hand; the at least one player utilizing fewerthan all of the cards dealt to form a resulting player's hand for the atleast one player,

wherein the number of cards utilized in the resulting player's hands andthe resulting dealer's hand are equal; and resolving each player handagainst the dealer's hand according to predetermined game rules. Thepreferred variant of this game is Four-Card Poker™ game wherein thefirst number of cards is six cards and the second number of cards isfive cards and the resulting number of dealer's cards and the resultingnumber of player cards are both four cards. In this game, the at leastone player makes an Ante wager prior to review of that player's secondnumber of cards, and after the at least one player reviews that player'ssecond number of cards, that player must place an additional play wagerof at least 1× the Ante wager to stay in the game. The at least oneplayer reviews that player's second number of cards, that player mayplace a wager of greater then 1× the Ante wager when the player'sresulting number of cards' hand exceeds at least a predetermined minimumpoker ranking for a player's hand. After the at least one player reviewsthat player's second number of cards, that player may place a wager atthe election of the player which is a multiple of the Ante wagerselected from the group consisting of 1×, 2×, 3×, 4× and 5× the Antewager. In a preferred practice of the game, physical cards are providedto each player and the dealer on a gaming table. The game may furtherinclude a mandatory Super Bonus bet in addition to the Ante wager,wherein payouts are made on the Super Bonus bet for predetermined handranks.

A casino table card game (here represented by the preferred 4-CardPoker™ game) is played on a table by at least one player and a dealer.The dealer usually represents the house or the casino in the play of thegame. As shown in FIG. 1, wagering areas 10 are provided for eachplayer, and card receiving areas 12 are available for each of theplayers and the dealer. The wagering area may include three distinctwagering zones for each player comprising a Bonus wager area 14 (e.g.,the Jackpot side bet or the traditional Aces-Up™ side bet wager), anAnte area 16, and a Play area 18. Progressive wager areas 20, (dealerhand), 22 (player hand) are also provided. Electronic wager recognitiontechnology such as the proximity switch disclosed in U.S. Pat. No.6,299,534 assigned to Shuffle Master, Inc. may be used. To initiate playof the game, at least one (and usually only one) deck of 52 standardcards or variant playing cards is provided. In other forms of the game,multiple intermixed decks of cards, decks with wild cards or specialdecks (i.e. decks with certain cards removed) are used. Each player whowishes to enter the play of the game makes at least one wager selectedfrom the Progressive Jackpot Bonus Bet and the Ante. One or both ofthese wagers may be made. The player may also play the hand blind (alsoreferred to as the “House Way”) by placing both an Ante and anadditional Play Bet. There may be additional wager positions 20, 22 forthe Progressive Jackpot side bet wager so that wagers may be placed a)on the dealer hand (the high probability hand), b) the Player hand (thelow probability hand). In another embodiment, the player can wager boththe Dealer hand and the Player hand. The amount of the wager for wagerc) (on both of the hands) is likely to be required to be double therequired side bet wagers on a) and b), or else the payout for wager c)would be less than (e.g., one-half) the total jackpot award that wouldhave been awarded on a winning wager on a) and b). After placement ofthe at least one wager, each player who has made an at least one wagerin the preferred 4-Card Poker™ format of the game is provided with anumber of cards, preferably five, from which to select a best four-cardpoker hand. The cards may be dealt as a complete set of five cards or inportions of one or more cards. At about the same time, the dealer isdealt a number of cards exceeding four. In one example of the invention,six cards are dealt. One or more additional cards can be dealt to theplayer, the dealer or both, with or without additional payments, whichwould then further adjust the paytables or bring alternative paytablesinto play.

Although in one example of the invention the dealer receives one morecards than each player, the number of cards dealt can be equal. What isimportant is that one hand have a higher frequency of winning,regardless of the specific mechanism for altering win probabilities.This higher probability is, as indicated herein, most easily adjusted bymapping of symbol probabilities or template probabilities in electronicformats, in providing extra cards to the dealer hand and/or providingwild symbols to the dealer (or player) hand. Any alternative method ofproviding a higher probability to the dealer hand versus the player handmay also be used. For example, a wild card may be provided in the set ofsymbols or playing cards, and that wild card may be used solely by thedealer hand. For example, the two of clubs (2

) may be designated as a wild card for only the dealer hand, or a randomcard indicator may be used to designate a random card that would be wildfor the dealer hand in each round. As long as a higher probability for awinning hand or at least for the jackpot bonuses (e.g., wild cards maybe used in the dealer hand only for establishing the highest ranks, suchas four-of-a-kind, Royal flush or straight flush and are otherwise onlythe shown rank of the card in other hands), an underlying preferredfeature of the present technology may exist for play as described hereinThe particular collection of symbols used for the highest rank forwinning the Progressive Jackpot is not inherently critical. Variouscombinations of four cards in a single hand may be used, variouscombinations of the four cards plus at least one additional card, (e.g.,the remainder fifth card from the player's five cards used to make thefour card hand), or even a combination of player's hand and dealer'shand may be used to determine the preferably Progressive Jackpotpayouts. For example, the progressive jackpot may be awarded on thePlayer's hand or the dealer's hand cards of A-K-Q-J in a specific suit,A-K-Q-J in any single suit, Four Aces, Four Aces and a King in aspecific suit, Four Aces and any King, four twos and the Ace of Spades,a Player's hand of A-K-Q-J in a specific suit or any suit and the Dealerhand having a specific card (e.g., a wild card or bonus card or aspecific rank of hand, such as exactly two pairs or at least two pairs,etc.), and the like. It is only necessary that the Jackpot winningevents or hands be defined in advance of the play of the game.

In a preferred form of the technology described herein, a four cardpoker hand is played as the underlying game. That underlying game isknown in the art in the priority chain of the present application (U.S.patent application Ser. No. 11/499,864, filed Aug. 4, 2006; U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 11/589,701, filed Oct. 20, 2006; and abandoned U.S.patent application Ser. No. 10/152,325, filed May 2, 2002) and isdescribed as follows. The dealer deals five cards to each player and sixcards to the dealer position. The player reviews the five cards receivedat that player position and determines what best four-card poker handcan be made from the five cards. If the player believes that the cardscannot form a four-card poker rank of sufficiently high rank to warrantcompetition against the dealer's best four-card hand (even without thathand or any portion of that hand having been displayed), the player mayfold the hand, refusing to place an additional wager. At this time orusually a later time, the Ante would be collected by the dealer. In oneexample of the invention, if the player made the Aces-Up bet and theAnte bet and decides to fold, the Aces-Up bet is swept along with theAnte. In another form of the invention, if the player remains in thegame by making the Play Bet and the player's hand does not contain ahand ranking of a pair of Aces or higher, and a bet was made on theAce-Up wager, that wager may be now or later collected by the dealer. Ifthe player determines that the rank of the best four-card poker handthat can be made from the five cards dealt to the player is sufficientlyhigh as to warrant competition against the dealer (or if the playerwants to bluff against the dealer, particularly if the dealer mustqualify), the player makes an additional wager, referred to as a playbet or game bet. That additional wager may be multiples of the Ante,such as 1×, 2', 3×, 4× or 5× the amount of the original Ante, at theoption of the player. In some examples of the invention, the game bet is1× the ante unless the player has a qualifying hand such as a pair ofkings or better for example. If the player's hand qualifies he has theoption of increasing his bet. Fractional amounts or larger amounts maybe allowed, but they can complicate the payout or alter the hold for thehouse, so those changes are in the discretion of the casino. Afterdiscarding excess cards and placing the Game Bet, or placing the fifthcard face down, or merely leaving the fifth card in the hand so that thehand may be arranged and ranked by the dealer or player when exposed,the player's hand is placed on the table for display. The dealer's handis then revealed after each and every player has determined whether ornot the Game Bet is to be made. The dealer compares the value or rank ofhis hand against the value or rank of each player's hand, usually insuccession around the table, and each series of wagers (the Aces-Upwager, the Ante and the Game Bet) is resolved. Ties on the rank ofplayer's hands and dealers hands may be either paid to the player,called a push, or collected by the dealer, depending upon the desiredhouse advantage the casino wants to build into the game. The dealer mayeither always qualify (a preferred method of play), or a level ofqualification may be built into the game (such as at least Queen high,at least King high, at least Queen-Jack, At least King-Jack, at leastAce-King, or at least one pair).

Resolution on the wagers may be based upon pay tables for the Aces-Upwager, pay tables on the Ante, and/or the Play Bet. Preferred play ofthe game provides pay tables for one or more of the Aces-Up wager, theAnte and an automatic bonus payout on the ante. The Play Bet paysone-to-one with a player win. This differentiation is based upon thefact that with certain very high ranking hands, the player would be atan extreme advantage in placing a 5× Game Bet, assuring a very highmultiple payout, with essentially no risk or little risk involved in theplacement of the 5× Game Bet wager. The payout of wagers may be tailoredby the casino by selecting pay tables designed for greater playerpayouts or greater casino earnings.

Although a four card poker game is a preferred form of the invention,the game could also be played with three, five or seven cards, withnecessary adjustments to the pay tables. All or part of the playerand/or dealer hand may include community cards. The underlying gamecould also include a draw and discard feature.

For example, in a four card game, the hierarchy of hands is as follows:Four of a Kind; Straight Flush; Three of a Kind; Flush; Straight; TwoPair; Pair; and High Card. A three or five card game would require adifferent hierarchy of hand rankings.

There are many variations of the game that may be played within thescope of the present invention. The following variations on the formatdescribed above shall be described in a manner that should enable thoseskilled in the art to appreciate the expanded scope of play available,rather than considering any single described method as limiting theintended scope of the game.

Version I of the underlying Four Card™ poker game—Each player receives 5cards, and the dealer receives 6 cards. The players and the dealeridentify their best four card poker hands, the players may rely upon thehouse for assistance, if needed. The dealer always qualifies, that isthe dealer's hand and any players' hands are always in play if the antebet is made. Players have the choice of placing one or both of the AnteBet and a Bonus Bet (e.g., the Aces-Up wager). House rules may requirethe player to make the Ante Bet, the Bonus Bet, or both the Ante andBonus Bet. The Ante wager is a wager directly against the rank of thedealer's hand, and the Aces Up Bonus Bet is a bet against a pay table.If after viewing his/her hand, a player chooses to stay in the gameagainst the dealer (keeping the Ante wager in play), the player mustmake an additional Play Bet to stay in the game. This Play Bet may be,for example, between 1 and 5 (or between 1 and 4, or between 1 and 3)times the amount of the initial Ante wager at the opinion of the player.In other forms of the game, the player's Play Bet must be 1× the anteunless the player holds a qualifying hand of a pair of Aces or better.If the player has a qualifying hand, he can bet up to 3× the Ante.Preferably, the player must hold a pair of aces or better to win on theBonus Bet (hence the name ‘Aces-Up’). The Bonus Bet preferably pays amaximum return of 50:1, but payouts may theoretically be as high as500:1 for certain hands, such as for four Aces. The Bonus Bet side betgame may or may not be present in the rules of the game. In this exampleof the invention, the game pays an automatic bonus for certain highranking hands according to a payout schedule. This bonus is paid on theAnte wager, and does not require the player to make a separate bet toqualify for this payout. For example, automatic bonuses are paid onthree of a kind, straight flushes and four of a kind.

Version II of the underlying Four-Card Poker™ game—This game increasesthe probability that the dealer hand will win by allowing the dealer toreplace the hand if the rank is below a threshold rank. Each player andthe dealer gets five cards to make the best four-card poker hand. If thedealer's hand does not equal or exceed a certain rank (e.g., a pair of2's or better), he discards all cards and draws a new five card hand,and then makes a four-card poker hand from the five cards. The playermust make the Ante wager to be in the game against the dealer. Thedealer always qualifies to play against the player. It is possible toallow the player or require the player to make the Ante wager 1) beforethe deal of cards, 2) after the deal of cards but before any cards arerevealed, 3) after the deal of cards and after the players has reviewedhis cards but before the dealer has exposed cards, 4) after the deal ofcards and a partial or complete revelation of the dealer's five cards(but before review of the player's cards), or 5) after the deal of cardsand a review of the players' cards and a partial revelation or completerevelation of the dealer's five cards, which play might be restricted towhere the dealer has not qualified (but not after revelation of anysixth card). The player's hand may be required to exceed a minimum rankto bet more than 1× the Ante. For example, if the player has aqualifying hand of a pair of Kings or better, the player can make a PlayBet of 1×, 2× or 3× the Ante. As with Version I, the rules can providethat the Bonus Bet (side bet) is mandatory or both initial bets (theAnte and the Bonus Bet) are mandatory. The automatic bonus against a paytable on the Ante bet may or may not be present in the rules of thegame. The Bonus Bet game may or may not be present, also in the rules ofthe game. In this example, a pair of aces or better qualifies the playerfor an Aces-Up payout of 1:1. The automatic bonus pays even if theplayer's hand is lower in rank than the dealer's hand.

Version III of the underlying Four-Card Poker™ game—The players anddealer each receive five cards to make their best four-card poker hand.The betting/wagering rules and procedures are the same as in theprevious versions, except for those listed below. Either the Ante ismandatory, the Ante or the Bonus Bet is mandatory, or both initialwagers are mandatory. The dealer must qualify to play (for example, witha hand of Ace high or better, King-Queen or higher, Ace-King or higher,pair of deuces or higher, etc.). The automatic bonus side bet gameagainst a pay table is present in the rules of this example of the game.

If the player stays in the game, the player can bet 1× to 3× or 1× to 5×(according to game rules) the Ante if the player has a qualifying handof a pair of Kings or better. Otherwise, the maximum Play Bet is 1× theAnte. The lowest ranking hand that qualifies for the bonus payout is apair of Aces or better.

Version IV of the underlying Four-Card Poker™ game—Four Card Poker withSuper Bonus—The dealer and each player are dealt five cards each. Thecards are used to make the best four card poker hand by the players andthe dealer. The hands are ranked according to the following four cardpoker ranking schedule: Four of a Kind; Straight Flush; Three of a Kind;Flush; Straight; Two Pair; Pair; and High Card.

Players can make a bet against the dealer (Ante), a bet against the paytable (Aces-Up Bonus Bet) or both. House rules may require one or bothbets to be mandatory. In addition, the players are required to make aSuper Bonus bet in an amount equal to the Ante in this example of theinvention.

Players place equal bets on the Ante and/or Super Bonus and/or Bonusspots on the layout. After viewing the cards, the player must fold orplace an additional Bet (play wager). If the player's hand does notqualify with a pair of Kings or better, the player may be required tobet exactly 1× the ante to an in the game. With a qualifying hand of apair of Kings or better, the player can bet an amount equal to ormultiples of the Ante, such as 1×, 2× or 3× the Ante.

If the player has a higher ranking hand than the dealer's hand, theplayer is paid 1:1 on the ante and the play bet. If the dealer's handoutranks the player's hand, the player loses the ante and the play bet.The player has the option (or may be required) at the beginning of thegame to place an Aces-Up bonus bet. In this example of the invention,the player wins a bonus payout for a pair of Aces or better. If theplayer makes the Ante and Play bets and beats the dealer, but does nothave a pair of Aces or better, the player pushes on the bonus bet. Theplayer is always paid on the Aces-Up bonus bet, regardless of whether ornot the player's hand beats the dealer's hand. In addition, this exampleof the invention may include a mandatory Super Bonus bet that is made inan amount equal to the ante. The player wins a payout for certain highranking hands such as a straight flush or four of a kind. A pay table isprovided on the layout to identify winning hands and payout amounts. Afailure to obtain a “Super Bonus” hand does not result in an automaticloss of the bet. For example, when the player's hand against the dealerdoes not qualify with a pair of kings or a straight flush or better, butthe hand still beats the dealer, the Super Bonus bet pushes. But, if theplayer folds on the ante or lose the ante and play bets against thedealer, the Super Bonus bet is also lost.

The Super Bonus bet is desirable in some instances where it is desiredto provide the house with more of an advantage on the base game. In thisexample of the game, removing the mandatory Super Bonus bet causes thegame to favor the player. However, other rule changes such as requiringthe dealer to qualify, or raising the minimum qualification hand rankingwhen making the play bet are other means to shift the odds to favor thehouse.

There are a number of advantages in the game of the present invention.The fold rate on this game is approximately 21%, which is lower than thefold rate in other known games, such as Three Card Poker® game. Thisfeature is believed to attract and retain players, making the game moreappealing to casinos. Players win this underlying game approximately 48%of the time, which exceeds the expectation of many players, andincreases player appeal. In some situations, e.g., when the player has aqualifying hand, additional betting opportunities are available, such astripling down on the Ante, increasing player appeal.

By varying the number of cards made available to the dealer and/orplayers, in forming the hands, by requiring the dealer's hand to qualifyor by eliminating dealer qualification, by modifying the payouts andwinning hand combinations possible on the bonus bet, by adding the SuperBonus bet etc., the payouts can be made to pay as high as 500:1 e.g.,for four of a kind hands. This feature is believed to attract and retainmore poker players.

The play of the underlying game of Four-Card Poker™ game may becompleted manually on a non-electronic game table, with the dealer usinga physical deck(s) of cards, visually identifying the amounts andpositions of wagers, manually collecting and paying out wagers, etc. Itis possible to incorporate some degree or nearly an entire electronicsystem into the game table or into the play of the game. Such partial orcomplete electronic systems may perform such tasks as identifying theexistence of a wager (e.g., U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,229,534; 5,337,973; and5,377,994), may provide virtual cards from an electronically stored deckof cards (e.g., U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,255,915; and 5,897,436), or may provideprogressive bonusing systems, such as the systems referenced above. Thecapabilities of technology are constantly expanding, and theimprovements in technology should not be considered to avoid theunderlying invention of the play of this game. For example, playermonitoring systems, security systems, integrated systems where shufflersidentify the number of cards and/or identify the specific cards andtheir positions in the play of the game are contemplated in the practiceof the present invention.

EXAMPLE OF PROGRESSIVE JACKPOT FOUR-CARD POKER™ GAME

The Examples will be described with a single player at a table as theplay of each individual player even in a seven card player table wouldbe equivalent in actions. Play table 1, above will be used to resolvethe side bet wagers.

Example 1

A player places an Ante wager of $10.00 on the Player hand versus theDealer hand competition and places a $1.00 (fixed rate, non-variable)wager on the Dealer hand in a progressive Jackpot wager in which theJackpot stands at $40,000.00. The player also places a $5.00 wager onthe Queens or better side bet. The player is dealt five cards face-downand the Dealer is dealt six cards, five of which are face down and aJack of hearts (J♥) is shown face-up. The player examines the five cardsand finds a hand of 7♦, 7♥, 7

, 6

, 6

. The players best 4-card hand is therefore three-of-a-kind with a six(6) kicker. The second six cannot be used in the four card hand. Theplayer would place a Play wager to remain in the game.

The Dealer then reveals all six cards in the Dealer hand to display ahand of A♥, K♥, Q♥ and J♥ and three of diamonds (3♦). The dealer holds astraight flush which is second in rank to a 4-of-a-kind. This hand wouldhave been a 10% of the total jackpot win if present in the Player'sfive-card hand for Four-card Poker™ games, but because it is in theDealer's six-card hand, it will pay only 8% of the jackpot or $3,200 tothe player. The player loses on the Player versus dealer wager, and wins5 to 1 on the $5.00 Queens or better wager.

Example 2

A player places an Ante wager of $10.00 on the Player hand versus theDealer hand competition and places a $1.00 (fixed rate, non-variable)wager on the Dealer and Player hands in a progressive Jackpot wager inwhich the Jackpot stands at $40,000.00. The player also places a $5.00wager on a “Queens or better” side bet. The player is dealt five cardsface-down and the Dealer is dealt six cards, five of which are face downand a Jack of hearts (J♥) is shown face-up. The player examines the fivecards and finds a hand of 9♦, 7

, 7♦, 6

, 6♥. The players hand is therefore two pair. The player would place aPlay wager to remain in the game.

The Dealer then reveals all six cards in the Dealer hand to display ahand of A♥, K♥, Q♥ and J♥ and three of diamonds (3♦). This hand wouldhave been a 10% of the total jackpot win if present in the Player'sfive-card hand for Four-card Poker™ games, but because it is in theDealer's six-card hand, it will pay only 4% of the jackpot or $1,600 tothe player. The 4% award is based on the fact that the player made asingle $1.00 wager on both the player and dealer hands for the jackpot,which effectively becomes half a side wager on each hand. If the playerhad placed $1.00 on each hand or $2.00 on both hands, the award wouldhave been the full 8%. The player loses on the Player versus dealerwager, and wins 3 to 1 on the $5.00 Queens or better wager.

Example 3

A player places an Ante wager of $10.00 on the Player hand versus theDealer hand competition and places a $2.00 (fixed rate, non-variable)wager on both the Dealer and Player hands in a progressive Jackpot wagerin which the Jackpot stands at $40,000.00. The player does not place anyadditional side bet wagers. The player is dealt five cards face-down andthe Dealer is dealt six cards, five of which are face down and a Jack ofhearts (A♥) is shown face-up. The player examines the five cards andfinds a hand of 9♦, 8

, 7

, 2

, 4♥. The players hand is therefore only nine-high. The player would notplace a Play wager to remain in the game, but the Progressive Jackpotside bet wager remains in play.

The Dealer then reveals all six cards in the Dealer hand to display ahand of A♥, A♦, A

, A

, and K♥. This hand would have been a 100% of the total jackpot win ifpresent in the Player's five-card hand for Four-card Poker™ games, butbecause it is in the Dealer's six-card hand, it will pay only 80% of thejackpot or $32,000 to the player. The 80% award is based on the factthat the player made a $2.00 wager on both hands which is equivalent toa $1.00 wager on each of the player and dealer hands for the jackpot,which effectively becomes a full side wager on each hand. The playerloses on the Player versus dealer wager, and there was no Queens orbetter wager.

The method disclosed herein addresses the problem described above byproviding a new version of the Four Card Poker™ game which furtherincludes a concurrently played secondary or side game played by playersplacing one or more independent, variable wagers on either the player'sfinal hand achieving preset criteria, the dealer's final hand achievingpreset criteria, or both hands achieving the preset criteria, whereinthe top payouts include all or part of a progressive jackpot.

Additionally the present technology is directed to a side wager whichhas different payout award amounts for a player hand satisfying the samecriteria as a dealer hand, wherein the difference in payout awardamounts corresponds with the difference in the odds of the player handsatisfying the preset criteria and the odds of the dealer handsatisfying the same preset criteria.

Although the presently preferred embodiment as disclosed herein isdirected to the game according to the present invention played on acommercially available DEQ's G3 product (e.g., as described in U.S. Pat.No. 6,929,264, Huard et al. and related applications cited above), itshould be understood that the game of the present invention mayalternatively be played as a live table game without the electronicwagering system shown as the G3 product, or with other partially orfully automated systems, such as those having bet sensors or electronicwagering. The game of the present invention may also be played onmultiplayer electronic gaming platforms, such as the Table Master™platform, Rapid Table Games™ platform and Vegas Star™ platforms.

The G3 system may be described as a multi-bet electronic side bettingsystem (including the material hardware components and software programstherefor) which enhances a table game by allowing multi-betting and bygiving players the opportunity to win randomly drawn special prizes. TheG3 includes individual player interfaces mounted on the gaming table ateach player position, and a dealer control console for managing allaspects of the game. A player that wishes to place bets using the G3system will provide the dealer with chips or money which will be enteredinto the system by the dealer using the dealer console. Thecorresponding amount will then be shown on the interface at the positionchosen by the player. The player interface includes a display of thetotal player credits available, which is shown as wagering units, andDealer and Player bet displays, which show wagered units placed oneither the dealer hand or the player hand, respectively. The player anddealer bet displays include one button corresponding thereto which uponbeing depressed adds a unit wager to each respective bet.

In the presently preferred embodiment, the Four Card Poker™ base gameremains substantially as described above and played in most casinos,while further comprising an optional side wager on a concurrently playedside game in which each player may place a fixed or variable wager onthe player's final hand, the dealer's final hand or both, achieving atleast a preset hand rank, via the G3 system player interface.

The side wager is placed prior to dealing the cards to the player,typically at the same time a mandatory ante wager must be placed in theunderlying game. Assuming players have been afforded credit on the G3system player interface by providing chips or money to the dealer beforethe start of the round, players may proceed to place wagers on eitherthe player hand, the dealer hand or both by depressing the buttons onthe player interface corresponding with the player and/or dealer hand.

The side wagers can be in varying amounts, and players may wagerdifferent amounts on the player and dealer hands in any round of thegame. It should also be noted that in the preferred embodiment theplayer's hand side wager is a wager on the hand of the player placingthe wager only, and the dealer's hand side wager is a wager on the handof the dealer at the gaming table at which the player is playing theunderlying Four Card Poker™ game.

Once all players at the table have placed their respective side wagersusing the G3 system player interface, the dealer may lock the system sothat no changes may be made and proceed with dealing the underlying gameaccording to the standard Four Card Poker™ game rules.

The side wagers of the present invention will be resolved upon thedealer revealing the dealer's final four card hand. Any player thatplaced a wager on the player's final hand will receive a payout award ifthe player's final hand has a ranking of at least a preset hand ranking.Likewise, any player that placed a wager on the dealer's final hand willreceive a payout award if the dealer's final hand has a ranking of atleast a preset hand ranking. Any player that wagered on both the playerand dealer final hands is paid depending on which of the hands have aranking of at least their respective preset hand rankings. In thisembodiment, the hand rankings for purposes of the side wager aredetermined and ordered according to the rules of the Four Card Poker™game. However, the hand rankings and/or payouts may differ for wagers onthe player and dealer hands.

In a preferred embodiment, the payout awards for winning player handrankings are greater than the payout awards for the same rank of winningdealer hand rankings. This discrepancy in payout amounts corresponds tothe lower odds players have of achieving any particular hand ranking ascompared with the dealer's odds of achieving that same hand ranking,which is built into the underlying Four Card Poker™ game by having thedealer receive six (6) cards from which a four card hand must be formedwhile players receive only five (5) cards from which a four card handmust be formed.

Thus, in one embodiment, the payout awards are odds payouts which areexpressed as multiples of a unit wagered, with the multiples being lowerfor dealer's hand payouts than player's hand payouts. For example, theplayer may receive “5:1” or “5 to 1” on a side wager placed on theplayer hand using the G3 system if the player hand has a ranking offlush, whereas the player may receive only “4 to 1” for the same sidewager placed on the dealer hand when the dealer's hand is a flush.Although the payout for a wager on the dealer hand is less than thepayout for the same player hand of a winning rank, the dealer hand wouldtheoretically achieve winning ranks more often than the player hand.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention the highest rankinghands have payouts which include all or a percentage of a progressivejackpot. As in other progressive configurations, a portion of the sidebet of the present invention is used to fund the progressive reserve.The reserve amount is preferably displayed in real-time, orsubstantially close thereto. Fixed pays, a portion of the reserve, orall of the amount displayed may be paid depending on the preset criteriasatisfied during the game. The fixed pays are preferably paid out asmultiples of the side wager to all winning players. If a portion of theprogressive reserve is won by multiple players, the portion ispreferably paid to all winning players according to any method or orderallowed by the state, tribal or other regulatory agency, rather thansplit between the winning players. If the entire progressive reserve iswon by more than one player, then it will be split evenly between thewinning players. In the preferred embodiment, the outcome of the sidewagers are reflected on the G3 system player interfaces, except forprogressive payouts. The resolution and payouts are preferably managedand/or confirmed by authorized personnel using the dealer console.

Although players preferably place an ante wager and a play wager in thebase game in addition to the optional side wager of the presentinvention, it should be noted that the outcome of the underlying gamehas no bearing on the outcome of the side wager. Thus, even if a playerdoes not place a Play wager, and thus forfeits their ante wager, theside wagers of the present invention may still be won.

As described herein, the present technology represents generic conceptsencompassed by the claims. The examples and details provided herein areintended to provide specific support for the generic concepts and arenot intended to be read as limiting the scope of the claims or thepractice of the generic technology.

1. A method of playing a wagering game comprising: providing at least afirst hand and a second hand; the first hand competes against the secondhand; the first hand has a statistical advantage versus the second hand;a player elects to place a side bet on a jackpot game and has an optionon wagering on at least the first hand or on at least the second hand towin the jackpot event; a first separate paytable is provided against thejackpot for the first hand and a second separate paytable is providedagainst the jackpot for the second hand; and wherein if the side betincludes a wager on the first hand, at least some winning events againstthe first paytable for the first hand return a lesser amount or lesserpercentage of a jackpot than a same winning event will return from thesecond paytable for the second hand.
 2. The method of claim 1 played onan electronic system in which a higher statistical probability forhigher ranked hands is programmed into provision of symbols for thefirst hand.
 3. The method of claim 2 wherein the higher statisticalprobability is provided for the first hand by mapping of individualsymbol probabilities or mapping of template probabilities forcombinations of symbols.
 4. The method of claim 1 wherein the first handand the second hand comprise playing cards.
 5. The method of claim 4wherein the playing cards are used to determine a score to determineawards against paytables.
 6. The method of claim 4 wherein the playingcards are used to determine a poker hand rank to determine awardsagainst paytables.
 7. The method of claim 4 wherein the statisticaladvantage for the first hand versus the second hand is provided byproviding more playing cards to the first hand than to the second hand.8. The method of claim 7 wherein an initial wager is placed by theplayer on the second hand on winning or losing against the first hand ona basis of poker ranks.
 9. The method of claim 8 wherein the side betwager may be placed by the player on first hand or the second hand. 10.The method of claim 1 wherein the side bet wager may be placed by theplayer on first hand, the second hand or both the first hand and secondhand.
 11. The method of claim 9 wherein for a highest award ranked handattained by the second hand, 100% of the jackpot is awarded and for thehighest award ranked hand attained by the first hand, less than 100% ofthe jackpot is awarded.
 12. The method of claim 1 wherein the first andsecond pay tables pay a progressive jackpot, and at least a portion ofthe side bet increments the progressive jackpot.
 13. The method of claim1 wherein an initial wager is placed on a player versus dealer pokergame utilizing at least one deck of playing cards, the game comprising:at least one player placing at least one wager to participate in thecasino game; dealing a first number of cards to a dealer to form thefirst hand, said first number of cards being greater than the number ofcards to be used in determination of a poker rank hand for the dealer;dealing a second number of cards to the at least one player to form thesecond hand, said second number of cards being greater than the numberof cards to be used in determination of a poker rank hand for eachplayer; the dealer utilizing fewer than all of the cards dealt to form aresulting single dealer hand; the at least one player utilizing fewerthan all of the cards dealt to form a resulting player's hand for the atleast one player, wherein the number of cards utilized in the resultingplayer's hands and the resulting dealer's hand are equal; and resolvingeach player hand against the dealer's hand according to predeterminedgame rules.
 14. The method of claim 13 wherein the first number of cardsis six cards and the second number of cards is five cards and theresulting number of dealer's cards and the resulting number of playercards are both four cards.
 15. The method of claim 14 wherein the atleast one player makes an Ante wager prior to review of that player'ssecond number of cards, and after the at least one player reviews thatplayer's second number of cards, that player must place an additionalplay wager of at least 1× the Ante wager to stay in the game.
 16. Themethod of claim 15 wherein after the at least one player reviews thatplayer's second number of cards, that player may place a wager ofgreater then 1× the Ante wager when the player's resulting number ofcards' hand exceeds at least a predetermined minimum poker ranking for aplayer's hand.
 17. The method of claim 15 wherein after the at least oneplayer reviews that player's second number of cards, that player mayplace a wager at the election of the player which is a multiple of theAnte wager selected from the group consisting of 1×, 2×, 3×, 4× and 5×the Ante wager.
 18. A method of playing a secondary playing card gameconcurrently with an underlying playing card game wherein a dealer and aplayer receive hands of cards, comprising the steps of: a) placing oneor more wagers in the underlying game, wherein the one or more wagersoptionally include an election among i) a wager on the final player handachieving at least one preset poker rank, ii) a wager on the finaldealer hand achieving at least one preset poker rank, or iii) both; b)forming the final player hand and the final dealer hand according to therules of the underlying game, wherein the rules of the underlying gameprovide for a difference in the odds of the player hand and the dealerhand achieving final hands of the same poker rank; c) resolving the oneor more wagers in the side game based on the final player hand and thefinal dealer hand; d) paying an award to players placing winning wagers,wherein awards on wagers i), ii) and iii) differ for the same at leastone poker rank achieved depending on whether the winning wager relatesto the final player hand or the final dealer hand, and wherein thedifference in the award corresponds in relative amount to the relativedifference in the odds of the player hand and the dealer hand achievingthe at least one poker rank.
 19. The method of claim 1, wherein each paytable comprises a plurality of predetermined winning outcomes andcorresponding prizes, wherein the prizes are selected from the groupconsisting of a fixed payout amount, an odds payout amount, an amountdisplayed on a progressive meter, a percentage of an amount displayed ona progressive meter and a randomly determined amount.
 20. The method ofclaim 1, wherein the statistical advantage of the first hand is loweredby one or more methods selected from the group consisting of: providinga hand qualification step, providing more cards to the first hand,discarding and replacing at least a portion of the first hand, andproviding at least one wild symbol to the first hand.